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September 26, 2024
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SENIOR LIVING A MONTHLY FOUR PAGE SECTION FOR SENIORS
September Is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Memorial Bench & Tree Program The Belvidere Park District invites all to honor departed family members & friends by planting a memorial tree or installing a bench in a public park or along a trail. For more information, please contact Jonathan Cudzewicz, Superintendent of Parks, 815-547-5711 x103 or jcudzewicz@belviderepark.org.
Our Family Is Here For Yours.
At Heritage Woods, you'll enjoy friendly neighbors to share common life experiences and an active community full of choices.
BOONE COUNTY SPORTS EXHIBIT Features High School athletic achievements and Boone County athletes that went on to college, professional and national sports. Open Wed.-Fri. 10 AM - 4 PM & Sat. 10 AM - 3 PM The Ideal Setting For Your Next: Anniversary / Birthday Shower / Wedding Family Picnic Class Reunion & More
815-544-8391
314 S. State St., Belvidere • bcmuseumofhistory.org
First in
Caring
You and your family are our top priority. As the region’s first hospice provider, no one has more experience putting you first.
Call us at 815.398.0500 to
discuss the best care options for you or your loved one.
northernillinoishospice.org
Empower Your Loved Ones Relieve your family from the burden of making difficult decisions during an emotional time.
Personalize Your Farewell Pre-plan to ensure your farewell reflects your values, beliefs, and desires.
2 18 W. Hurlbut Ave. Belvidere 815-544-2616 www.AndersonFCS.com
Financial Security Preplanning can help manage costs and protect your family from unexpected expenses.
© Northern Illinois Hospice 2023
The World Cancer Research Fund International notes that prostate cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide & the second most common cancer in men. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system just below the bladder, & various factors can increase a man’s risk for developing cancer in this part of his body. Men who visit their doctors for annual wellness checkups may have discussed prostate cancer with their physicians from time to time. That’s especially true for men over the age of 45 or those with a first-degree relative who has had the disease, as each of those characteristics can increase a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer. But men of all ages & those with no family history of prostate cancer can benefit from learning more about a disease that, when detected early, remains highly treatable. What is prostate cancer? The American Cancer Society notes that prostate cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells within the prostate gland. The ACS notes that the prostate grows as a man ages, gradually shifting from the size of a walnut in younger men to something much larger as they age. Are some men at greater risk for prostate cancer than others? Though no man is immune to prostate cancer, some men are at greater risk for developing the disease than others. The ACS notes that the risk of developing the disease among men who have a father or a brother who has or has had prostate cancer is more than double. That risk is even greater if several relatives have had the disease, & elevated even further if any of those family members were young at their time of diagnosis. Race is another risk factor for prostate cancer. The CDC notes that African American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer, & the ACS reports they are twice as likely to die from the disease. Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that some studies suggest a diet high in fat can increase a man’s risk for prostate cancer, so men who consume such a diet may be more likely to be diagnosed with the disease than those who eat a low-fat diet. Are there warning signs for prostate cancer? The Prostate Cancer Foundation notes there usually are no early warning signs indicating the presence of prostate cancer. A growing tumor does not push against anything, so men will not feel pain even if the tumor is expanding. This reality underscores the significance of screening. Men have numerous screening options to consider, & the right age to begin screening depends on variables unique to each individual. Johns Hopkins notes men with a family history of first-degree relatives with the disease may be advised to begin screening for prostate cancer as early as age 40. Men with no such history who are considered at average risk for prostate cancer may be advised to wait until age 50 to begin screening. An open, informed & honest discussion with a physician is recommended for men concerned about prostate cancer. Though it’s important men recognize prostate cancer rarely produces symptoms in its early stages, some men may begin to recognize signs that might indicate the presence of the disease. For example, the ACS notes that some men may notice a slow or weak urinary stream, a need to urinate more frequently or blood in their urine or semen. Such symptoms are uncommon, but could indicate prostate cancer is present. Prostate cancer is a common form of the disease that is highly treatable if caught early. Men in or approaching middle age are urged to discuss the disease with their physicians. More information is available at pcf.org.